A Lenten Prayer for God to Deliver Magnificence from Ashes
By Debbie McDaniel
“To bestow on them a crown of magnificence as an alternative of ashes, the oil of pleasure as an alternative of mourning, and a garment of reward as an alternative of a spirit of despair.” Isa 61:3
As we stroll by way of this season of Lent, we’re reminded once more that typically… life is difficult.
Typically it hurts.
Typically it’s darkish.
And it leaves its mark, like ashes of grief, within the deepest components of our souls, the place nobody however God can actually see.
But even in occasions of ashes and battle, even after we suppose we’ve been forgotten in our seasons of ready, God remains to be there. And He’s larger.
As believers, we are able to nonetheless maintain on to hope.
For He by no means intends for us to remain caught in our sin, ache, or deep sorrow. He heals and restores, He calls us onward, He reminds us that in Him, we’ve nice function and hope.
There may be magnificence and greatness behind each mark of darkness. The ashes will fall away, they don’t keep eternally, however His greatness and glory shine eternally by way of each damaged place and flaw we’ve struggled by way of.
Jesus conquered dying. He lives eternally. He reigns in glory. And we’ve victory in Him.
Take braveness expensive associates who’re dealing with deep battles. He’s better than any enemy we face on this life. We overcome as a result of He has overcome and our lives are hidden in Christ. Could God cowl you with peace, might He convey therapeutic within the face of arduous information, might He convey deep, abiding pleasure that is senseless to the world, might He convey consolation and care as He wraps you in His arms. The God of miracles fights for you at this time, and He’s Mighty.
There’s nonetheless magnificence forward…straight out of ashes.
Christ redeems.
Grace.
Expensive God,
On this season of Lent we’re reminded of our personal difficulties and struggles. Typically the best way has appeared too darkish. Typically we really feel like our lives have been marked by such grief and ache, we don’t see how our circumstances can ever change. However within the midst of our weak spot, we ask that you’d be robust on our behalf. Lord, stand up inside us, let your Spirit shine out of each damaged place we’ve walked by way of. Permit your energy to be manifest by way of our personal weak spot, in order that others will acknowledge it’s You who’s at work on our behalf. We ask that you’d commerce the ashes of our lives for the great thing about your Presence. Commerce our mourning and grief for the oil of pleasure and gladness out of your Spirit. Commerce our despair for hope and reward. We select to offer you thanks at this time and imagine that this season of darkness will fade away. Thanks that you’re with us in no matter we face, and that you’re better than this trial. We all know and acknowledge that you’re Sovereign, we thanks for the victory that’s ours due to Christ Jesus, and we’re assured that you’ve got good nonetheless in retailer for our future. We thanks that you’re at work proper now, buying and selling our ashes for better magnificence. We reward you, for you make all issues new.
In Jesus’ Identify,
Amen.
Discover extra by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel/, or https://twitter.com/debbmcdaniel.
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